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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Real Estate Specialist

💰 $75,000 - $115,000 Annually (USD)

Real EstateCorporate Real EstateProperty ManagementLeasingFacilities Management

🎯 Role Definition

A Real Estate Specialist is a strategic professional responsible for managing an organization's entire real estate portfolio, encompassing leasing, acquisitions, dispositions, and property management. This role serves as the nexus between corporate strategy and physical space, ensuring that the company's facilities align with its operational needs, financial goals, and long-term growth plans. They are expert negotiators, financial analysts, and relationship managers who navigate the complex real estate landscape to secure optimal terms and locations, mitigate risk, and drive value across the property lifecycle. This position requires a blend of market intelligence, financial acumen, and project management expertise to effectively oversee a diverse portfolio of properties.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Real Estate Coordinator or Analyst
  • Lease Administrator
  • Assistant Property Manager
  • Commercial Real Estate Broker (Associate)

Advancement To:

  • Senior Real Estate Specialist
  • Real Estate Manager or Portfolio Manager
  • Director of Corporate Real Estate
  • Head of Global Real Estate

Lateral Moves:

  • Facilities Manager
  • Asset Manager
  • Corporate Strategist (with a focus on footprint)
  • Project Manager (Construction & Development)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Manage the entire lifecycle of the corporate real estate lease portfolio, from initial negotiation and drafting to renewal, expansion, relocation, and termination.
  • Conduct comprehensive market research and site selection analysis to identify and evaluate potential new office, retail, or industrial locations that align with the company's strategic growth objectives.
  • Develop and maintain sophisticated financial models, including Net Present Value (NPV) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR) analyses, to support transaction decisions and business case presentations.
  • Lead negotiations of complex business terms and legal language for leases, amendments, and other real estate contracts in collaboration with legal counsel and business leaders.
  • Act as the primary point of contact and manage relationships with external partners, including landlords, real estate brokers, developers, attorneys, and government authorities.
  • Administer the real estate portfolio by meticulously tracking critical dates, managing lease obligations, and ensuring data integrity within lease administration software (e.g., CoStar, Tango, Yardi).
  • Oversee the due diligence process for property acquisitions and dispositions, coordinating with internal and external teams to assess financial, legal, and physical risks.
  • Prepare and present regular, insightful reports on portfolio performance, market trends, and project status to senior management and executive leadership.
  • Partner with internal stakeholders across Finance, Legal, Operations, and HR to ensure real estate strategies are integrated and support overall business unit requirements.
  • Manage and audit operating expenses, including rent, common area maintenance (CAM), taxes, and insurance, to ensure accuracy and identify cost-saving opportunities.
  • Coordinate and provide oversight for tenant improvement projects, new builds, and renovation efforts, ensuring projects are completed on time, within budget, and to company standards.
  • Develop and manage annual real estate operating and capital budgets, providing accurate forecasting and variance analysis throughout the fiscal year.

Secondary Functions

  • Abstract and interpret complex legal and business terms from lease agreements and other real estate documents for entry into the database and for stakeholder reference.
  • Resolve day-to-day property management issues and disputes between the company and landlords, ensuring minimal disruption to business operations.
  • Support the development of long-range portfolio optimization plans, including consolidation, expansion, and market entry or exit strategies.
  • Conduct physical property tours and site inspections to evaluate potential locations and assess the condition of existing portfolio assets.
  • Monitor and analyze real estate market trends, economic indicators, and competitor activities to inform strategic decision-making and identify potential opportunities or risks.
  • Assist in ensuring all properties comply with local zoning, land use, ADA, and environmental regulations.
  • Create compelling business cases and approval packages for real estate transactions, clearly articulating the strategic rationale and financial impact.
  • Foster strong, collaborative relationships with internal business leaders to understand their evolving space needs and translate them into actionable real estate solutions.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Lease Negotiation & Contract Management: Proven ability to negotiate favorable business and legal terms for a variety of commercial real estate agreements.
  • Financial Modeling: High proficiency in Excel for building complex financial models (NPV, IRR, cash flow analysis) to evaluate real estate transactions.
  • Market Analysis & Site Selection: Expertise in using market data, demographic information, and analytical tools to identify and validate optimal locations.
  • Lease Administration Software: Hands-on experience with platforms such as CoStar Real Estate Manager, Yardi, Tango, or similar systems for portfolio management.
  • Real Estate Finance: Deep understanding of real estate financial principles, including valuation, capital markets, and deal structuring.
  • Project Management: Skill in managing multiple real estate projects simultaneously, from conception through completion, including budgeting and scheduling.
  • Due Diligence: Thorough knowledge of the processes and checklists required to vet potential real estate acquisitions and leases.
  • ARGUS Enterprise: Experience with ARGUS or similar valuation and cash flow software is often highly valued.

Soft Skills

  • Negotiation & Influence: The ability to skillfully negotiate with diverse parties, persuade stakeholders, and achieve consensus on complex deals.
  • Stakeholder Management: Adept at building and maintaining strong relationships with internal clients, senior leadership, and external partners.
  • Advanced Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and concisely to executive audiences.
  • Analytical & Problem-Solving: A sharp, analytical mindset capable of dissecting complex problems, interpreting data, and formulating practical solutions.
  • Attention to Detail: Meticulous and thorough approach to contract review, financial analysis, and data management to ensure accuracy and mitigate risk.
  • Business Acumen: A strong understanding of how real estate decisions impact the broader business's financial health and strategic objectives.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree from an accredited university.

Preferred Education:

  • Master of Business Administration (MBA) or a Master's degree in a relevant field.
  • Real estate license or professional certifications (e.g., MCR, SLCR from CoreNet Global) are a plus.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Real Estate
  • Business Administration
  • Finance
  • Economics

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3-7 years of progressive experience in corporate real estate, commercial real estate brokerage, or a related field.

Preferred: Experience working within an in-house corporate real estate department for a multi-site organization. Direct experience managing a portfolio of office, retail, or industrial properties is highly desirable.

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